California Governor Gavin Newsom Defends Ties With Democratic Socialists Amid Controversy

Governor Gavin Newsom of California defended closer collaboration with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) after a video surfaced in which a DSA member said, “The most important thing that we can do is take that empire down from within.” In remarks at a press conference, Newsom said he is “for addition, not subtraction” and expressed openness to working with the organization on issues such as free community college, higher minimum wages, subsidized child care and lower carbon emissions. He added, “We have to take back the House of Representatives or we’re going to lose this republic.”

The comments drew sharp criticism from conservative figures, who portrayed Newsom as abandoning moderate positions and aligning with a radical socialist agenda. The controversy is expected to influence the political dynamics ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, as analysts gauge how the governor’s stance may affect his standing with moderate voters and the broader Democratic coalition.